Belgium got here by in their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Monday, beating debutants Panama 3-0 in Group G.

Romelu Lukaku scored twice and Dries Mertens additionally obtained on the board, as Belgium patiently broke down their opponents in a routine win.

The Europeans entered the event among the many favourites for the title, as they sit third in the FIFA rankings. With England and Tunisia additionally in Group G, they’re anticipated to comfortably qualify for the knockout phases.

Here are the primary takeaways from the match.

Lukaku Emerges As Golden Boot Favourite with Clinical Performance

Manchester United ace Lukaku has been in sensational kind for the nationwide crew of late, and he added one other two targets to his tally.

As shared by ESPN Stats & Info, he is been remarkably constant:

ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo

Romelu Lukaku scores once more!

It’s his third profession #WorldCup purpose, and he now has 15 targets in his final 10 matches for #BEL.

It’s the fifth multi-goal recreation for #BEL on the #WorldCup and 1st since Marc Wilmots in 1998. https://t.co/La9av0U6Ql

With two targets already and elite passers throughout him, the 25-year-old could be the favorite for the Golden Boot race―particularly contemplating he’ll nonetheless face Tunisia and England’s suspect defence.

For years, Belgium lacked a scientific, ace finisher who may make the distinction in tight matches. While Panama are hardly elite competitors, they did a improbable job limiting Lukaku’s touches, however he nonetheless got here up massive in the large moments.

The Red Devils can at occasions be complacent in entrance of purpose, and in these moments, you want somebody who can power the difficulty. They’ll often flip to Eden Hazard or Kevin De Bruyne, however in Lukaku, they could simply have a 3rd class participant who can do exactly that in the knockout phases.

Belgium Must Find Intensity for Deep World Cup Run

Belgium have super expertise, and when issues fall into place, they’re able to greatness. They play among the finest attacking soccer in all of Europe and might rating in bunches, as evidenced by their record-breaking qualifying marketing campaign.

But the Red Devils hardly ever play with excessive depth for 90 minutes and even half that. Too usually, they appear to virtually lose curiosity, counting on their particular person brilliance to beat opponents.

Sport Witness summed it up properly:

Sport Witness @Sport_Witness

Urgency, that is the phrase. Or reasonably, ‘lack of urgency’. #BELPAN

Mertens’ purpose early in the second half did not carry any modifications, as Belgium sat again reasonably than search for a second purpose. As a consequence, Panama began to search out some probabilities, one thing that ought to by no means have occurred.

Lukaku’s two targets will overshadow the very fact the Red Devils had been torpid at finest for giant stretches, however the latter level ought to be their primary takeaway forward of their second match.

Against a crew like Los Canaleros, you would possibly get away with complacency, however the favourites for the title will punish such a scarcity of urgency. Belgium want a shift in mentality forward of the knockout phases, or their event may very well be a brief one.

Panama Lack Tools Needed for Impact at 1st World Cup

The Panamanians had been by no means anticipated to make life arduous on the Belgians, and whereas they admirably held out in the primary half, Mertens’ marvel strike broke their resistance.

Los Canaleros barely crossed the midfield line earlier than the opener, and whereas they’d their probabilities afterwards, an upset at all times appeared unlikely.

Panama’s run to the World Cup was a beautiful story, however they lack the sheer expertise most groups in the event possess. Expect them to entertain in opposition to England and Tunisia, however a win appears extremely unlikely.

Martinez’s Tactics Remain Questionable

Roberto Martinez’s Three-Four-Three formation is an odd match, and in opposition to Los Canaleros, its weaknesses had been as soon as once more on full show. Thomas Meunier and Yannick Carrasco weren’t at their finest, and with out these two profitable battles out extensive, there was far an excessive amount of congestion in entrance of purpose.

In the centre of the park, De Bruyne performs alongside the underrated Axel Witsel, however the former is simply too usually a good distance from purpose, limiting his creativity across the field. As a consequence, the Red Devils did not create sufficient initially:

Space opened up as soon as they scored, and in transition, the Three-Four-Three system is an excellent sight, with Mertens and Hazard reducing inside, De Bruyne discovering the open man, Meunier and Carrasco bombing down the wings and Lukaku ready for his second.

But in opposition to a decent, organised defence, the Three-Four-Three stays a restricted system, particularly if the wing-backs aren’t on level. England—a crew with tons of tempo out extensive and gamers who prefer to dive into area behind the full-backs—ought to have all types of alternatives to use.

What’s Next?

Belgium face Tunisia on Saturday, in the future earlier than Panama tackle England.